Aftermarket ECUs

winkle · Post by **winkle** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:42 pm

Ok, sorry guys another question.

I know bugger all about ECUs, but have got to the stage where I will be needing one soon and have a cousin who knows all about mapping etc. He starts telling me about it-usually a short conversation

My car will be for circuit use only, and with many parts fitted by the previous owner, has no provision for a lamda sensor at the mo.

It will be running a dizzy to start with but would need an ECU that is capable of controlling ignition also, maybe at a later date.

I know many of you use megasquirt but that controls fuel only am I right?

Im not asking anyone to say this system is better than that etc I would just like some ideas on what would be a suitable system for my particular application. Oh yeah, at a reasonable cost

When you know little about it, you tend to focus on negatives to do with software etc and get nervous!

Any thoughts appreciated

Steve

Post by **katanaman** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:10 pm

Megasquirt can do ignition as well, either basic single coil out the box (version 3 board) or with modifications to do multi coil. MS also needs extra kit for wideband sensor but can use a narrow band as comes. VEMS will do multi ignition coil out the box so nothing else has to be done to that. It also does not need anything extra to use a wideband sensor. By the time you add all the stuff to MS and if you don't build it yourself both ECU's are comparable in price. Performance wise the VEMS at the moment is still the more advanced although MS has a new bit of kit coming out which should equal the VEMS ability to do sequential. This of course might be of no use to you anyway.
The next ECU in price range would probably be the Emeralds system which is a few hundred quid more. Doesn't do anything in particular that that the other two don't but it is a fully commercial product with any advantages/disadvantages that come with that.
You really need to use a air/fuel ratio sensor or you will never get it to map properly. Wide band really being the only choice these days especially as your using it for track.

ian.stewart · Post by **ian.stewart** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:12 pm

Have a look here. then click on Management, there are lots to chose from, http://www.jenvey.co.uk/
MegaSquirt will control everthing that you need,
Personally I use Emerald M3dk and I am well satisfied with its performance, back up and cost, including a day on the rollers for £250 at Dave Walkers

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:34 pm

MS and MS extra can both control ignition, both can do wasted spark, MS extra can control coil packs directly, MS using ford EDIS set up. Both can do mapped ignition with a distributor.
VEMS does the whole lot with sequential injection, coil packs and all.
All three of the above use lambda sensors and revs and manifold vacuum to map the injection (with throttle position as a secondary input to modify the mapping)
These three you can get the basic setup mapped yourself with a pc and a wideband lambda set up only needing a rolling road to do the final tuning once you have settled on a final spec.
MS is the cheepest with MS extra about 5% extra but better suported over here and can be bought far more "ready to go" however you will have to do alot yourself.
VEMS is again far more of an off the shelf package.
Emerald will do mapped injection and ignition but is mapped useing throttle position and revs for reference without reference to manifold depression. It is well developed and is mapped off lambda sensors but is really a race set up and it will involve a trip to Dave Walker to get a basic map then extra visits if you change anything.
Then it gets expensive (800+ for the units and then add sensors and specialist mapping) with lots of choice and features but they are out of the price bracket I was looking at so cant help further.
It really depends what you can do yourself and what your budget is.
Best regards
Mike
Ive got to type faster

Post by **katanaman** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:40 pm

Just a correction to Kiwicar's stuff that the Emerald does reference the manifold pressure like the other two.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:37 pm

The above pretty much sums it up.

If you dont want to get involved, Emerald is good as Dave doesnt charge much for supporting and tuning his product. Which is a bonus.

But there are dozens of systems that will do what you want. Some depends how involved you want to get, or if you just want to take it to someone to make it work for you.

I'll throw in DTA's systems as Im using them, and Ive found them to be very good.

The S60 would work with the V8 in either single coil, or a multicoil wasted spark setup Im using the S80 )

To keep things simple, just stick with a single coil and Dizzy though ( obviously ecu controls ign timing though )

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:56 pm

is there a DTA website?
googled it and came up with very little that looked like it would sell me one.
Mike

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:02 pm

www.dtafast.co.uk

You wont buy from their website directly...

But any queries can be directed to this non-dta supported forum ( ie, its independant )

You'll find a few guys there who can supply/fit if need be. Drew from RoverDose Motorsport ( sells on ebay, although more 4cyl rover stuff ) or Grant from GB Enterprises are a couple.

http://dtaforum.psycode.com

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:22 pm

thanks Stevie ill have a read
Mike

winkle · Post by **winkle** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:49 pm

Thanks yet again guys, loads of useful stuff to help make a choice.

The installation, mapping etc will be done by my cousin, hes a Citroen diagnostic tech and runs a series 1 Cossie pretty quick so a lot of the work he is happy to do

Will get him to look at the pros and cons of these and we'll go from there.

All Ive got to do is pay for it

Cheers Steve